Naomi Pomeroy, some of the revered cooks within the nation and a veteran of the truth tv universe, died over the weekend following an interior tube accident within the Willamette River in Oregon.
She was 49 years previous.
Based on a press launch subject by Benton County Sheriff’s Workplace, authorities are nonetheless looking for Pomeroy’s physique.
The deadly incident befell round 8:25 p.m. on July 13 … as Pomeroy was connected to a paddleboard whereas her husband, Kyle Linden Webster, and a 3rd particular person have been on tubes that have been secured collectively.
When the group hit difficult currents close to river mile 132 in Corvallis, Oregon, Pomeroy was “pulled under the water and unable to free herself due to the paddleboard leash,” reads this official doc.
The Corvallis Hearth Division situated Webster and the third particular person, who have been safely on the shore, once they arrived on the scene. However the identical couldn’t be stated for Pomeroy.
Pomeroy appeared on Iron Chef and season 3 of Prime Chef Masters, the place she completed in fourth place. She later served as a visitor choose for seasons 10, 15 and 18 of Prime Chef.
“The Bravo and Top Chef family send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Chef Naomi Pomeroy,” the community introduced in a message shared through Twitter.
“Naomi was a powerhouse chef who made an indelible mark on the culinary industry.”
Stated Sheriff Van Arsdall late on Tuesday: “I am dedicated to locating Naomi to bring her home to her family and loved ones.”
The Bravo and Prime Chef household ship our heartfelt condolences to the household and associates of Chef Naomi Pomeroy. Naomi was a powerhouse chef who made an indelible mark on the culinary trade.
— Bravo Prime Chef (@BravoTopChef) July 16, 2024
Rescue personnel have up to now combed components of the 187-mile river utilizing sonar, underwater cameras, and drones, however heavy particles has made the search a wrestle, officers confirmed this week.
Forward of her tragic passing, Pomeroy was a significant identify within the Oregon culinary scene after opening her first restaurant, Beast, in Portland in 2007.
Two years later, she was named one in every of Meals & Wine’s Greatest New Cooks.
The Bravo alum opened a Portland cocktail bar referred to as Expatriate together with her husband in 2013 — after which the next 12 months, she earned a James Beard Award for Greatest Chef: Northwest and Pacific.
Whereas Beast closed in 2020, Pomeroy turned the area right into a market and bistro referred to as Ripe Cooperative, which closed in 2022.
She opened Cornet Custard, an ice cream store, in Could and deliberate to open a French restaurant subsequent door.
Fellow Prime Chef Masters contestant and creator Mary Sue Milliken shared an emotional social publish after studying of Pomeroy’s sudden demise, writing on-line:
“Devastated to listen to we tragically misplaced the tremendous proficient chef Naomi Pomeroy. She and I bonded over tense cooking challenges on Prime Chef Masters season 3……
“My heart goes out to Kyle, August and all her dear friends.”
